Regular visits to your dental provider are always your first line of defense against tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Removing plaque build up, x-rays, and a thorough examination are all designed to help you maintain optimum oral health. While your dentist is your partner in maintaining oral health, there are actually many things you can do to keep your mouth healthy in between your regular dental visits. Your Greenfield dentists talk about four important ways you can keep your mouth healthy.
Use Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Did you know that how you brush is just as important as how often you brush? Your brushing and flossing techniques are a huge part of whether or not you successfully remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth. Your dental hygienist can give you tips on how to brush and floss properly as well as what type to tooth brush you should be using. Don’t forget to brush your tongue also, as plaque and bacteria actually hide in its grooves.
Quit Bad Habits
Bad habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco are not only harmful for your teeth, but also your oral health, as it puts you at a higher risk for conditions like periodontal disease and oral cancer. Your dentist is a great resource to help you quit smoking or using tobacco.
Other habits such as chewing on ice cubes or biting your fingernails are also not good for your teeth. Chewing on items other than food can create small fractures in your teeth that will only progress with time and will eventually need repair.
Limit Snacking During the Day
Snacking is typically a favorite activity for most people during the day, however did you know that it could be contributing to your tooth decay? When you snack, food debris tends to hang out on your teeth longer than when you eat a full meal. This means it can build up in the grooves of your teeth and eventually turn into plaque. Limiting snacking during the day can help prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Eat Healthy Foods
Most of us understand that sugar is the number one enemy of our teeth, and this is because it fuels the bacteria that cause tooth decay and damage to your teeth. Did you know however, that eating fruits and vegetables actually protects your teeth from decay? This is because they neutralize the acids that cause decay while increasing saliva flow to wash away food debris.
Drs. Jenna Bagley, Christopher Goodwin, M. Sean Hrinda and Jessica Stier are a highly skilled team who provide exceptional dental care to patients in Greenfield, MA and the surrounding communities. With a forty-year history behind it, this is the kind of practice your entire family can come to for care that you can trust and rely on. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain optimum oral health for a lifetime. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.